This is the essential student's guide to Design - its practice, its theory and its history. Drawing from a wide range of international examples, respected design writer Catherine McDermott explores key topics including: international design - from Europe to Africa design history - from Art Nouveau to punk sustainable design, recycling and green design design theory - from semiotics to gender, to postcolonialism design technology, graphic design and the web. Fully cross-referenced, with up-to-date guides for further reading, Design: The Key Concepts is an indispensable reference for students of design, design history, fashion, art and visual culture.